SIM:JP:Lt.Cmdr Ben Walker, Lt.JG Ronan Adair & Lt. Ethan Brice - The Four

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This JP occurred just before the news that Rebecca was moving back to Earth with Ethan's son, Matthew. It describes well the relationship between "the four", all good friends torn apart. It also shows the bond Ethan and Ben developed over the years they were shipmates on the USS Independence and the USS Ronin.



(( CORRIDOR ))

:: Ethan started back down the corridor, slipping his hands into his pockets and following his feet. He had half a mind to get in touch with Danny and Ben, drag them both out for a well deserved round or two in the Double Shot, maybe go over some shore leave plans for Earth when he saw the familiar Ben walking out of the turbolift. Then the red headed female he was attached to.::

:: The Engineer smiled. Now Ben was going to cop for it.::

Brice: Going somewhere, Commander? ::he nodded to Ro and winked:: Doctor.

Walker: Back so soon? I thought you were taking Ms. Ehlanii to fix her door. Ro said...Ow...what was that for?

:: Ben stared at his wife, who had a "we'll talk about it later" look on her face, as she removed her elbow from his side. ::

Adair-Walker: "Aye, where is your friend." She looked around Ethan as if he were hiding her someplace.

Brice: We had an interesting conversation. A few things came to light that I should've, maybe, probably have known my friends had issues with.

:: Ben found it suddenly difficult to meet Ethan's eyes. ::

Walker: Ah...so...what do you want to do?

:: He scratched the side of his stubbly cheek.:: Brice: I've still got that bottle of brandy in my quarters. I think it's a good year to talk over.

Walker: Lead the way.


(( BRICE'S QUARTERS ))

:: Ethan shrugged his jacket from his shoulders as he walked through his door. The bottle was sitting nicely on the table, requiring only a compliment of another two to have the discussion. The dark haired lad slid into the single chair and lifted an eyebrow at his friends.::

Walker: ::trying not to squirm uneasily:: Ah...I see you haven't changed much of the looks of your room...

'Adair-Walker:'"Stop fidgiting Ben, come on Ethan, spit it oot, whats this about?"

Brice: Karynn told me what you two said.

Walker: It's my fault. Ro just stepped in to calm things down after I stepped in it.

::Ro rolled her eyes:: "As usuall Mr Tact's heart was in the right place but his mouth had other ideas" She smiled softly at Ben.

:: Ethan sighed.:: Brice: We're not serious, it's more of a friendship right now then anything else, but it'd be nice to know that you both had a problem with it before…

Walker: I didn't have a problem..I was just...well...you said friends..brothers...look out for each other...and knowing how hurt you were with Rebecca...

Adair-Walker: "And remember me Ethan? the one who had to patch you and her up after your "talks" I didn't want ta see that happen again. Can ya blame us for being worried?"

:: The door chime did exactly as it says on the tin.::

Brice: Come in.



::snip::


::Rebecca met his gaze and drew in a deep breath.::

Hollendale: My mother has passed away.

Adair-Walker: ::Ro automaticaly went to the girl and slipped her arms around her. "I'm sa sorry Becky."

Brice: Then surely it'd be easy leaving him here. He won't understand what's going on...

Hollendale: It isn't as easy as you might make it sound. If Matthew and I don't return to Earth for the reading of the will, Matthew's trust will be given to my second cousin, Dani. ::pauses:: You and I can work out who will have custody of Matthew once that is over. :: Ethan nodded. He really didn't know what to say. What could he say in that situation? That it was okay; that he understood? He didn't! He'd never lost a parent.::

Brice: Well... why custody? This arrangement we've had has been working; it suits us both career wise, why couldn't we...

Hollendale: ::shakes her head:: No matter what arrangement we agree upon, I won't be back aboard the Ronin. I've already submitted my resignation to the Captain. :: Ethan thumped the arm of the chair and stood up, facing the window at the back of his quarters. His arms crossed and his thumb and forefinger played with his bottom lip. His eyes darted from one star to another; how could this happen? Was it only temporary? He'd only see Matthew for a handful of days, weeks, perhaps a month in a year.::

Walker: But...Rebecca...why leave? If your family is being torn apart...why split it further?

Hollendale: This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but it's for the best. ::smiles wanly:: I tried to convince myself that traveling the universe on board a starship was for me. I tried to convince myself that I wouldn't miss home—that I wouldn't look back. ::laughs:: I was so foolish back then—desperate to get away from my mother's scheming. If I'd stayed, I would have been forced to marry Jake anyway. My mother always was about the money. She'd lost her trust when she'd married dad and she was desperate to get it back by marrying me off to the richest man she could find. Jake certainly fit the bill.

Walker: All the more reason to stay. We can help you get through it...

Hollendale: I'm only trying to help you understand. I've changed now. I'm stronger. I need to do this.

:: Ethan chewed the inside of his cheek.:: Brice: Is that all this is going to be, then? A simple will reading and then you've got what you want?

Hollendale: ::sighs:: I doubt she'll have let death defeat her. I'm sure she'll make some stipulation in the will about me getting married in order to gain rights to manage Matthew's trust.

:: Ethan's insides crunched. He'd only had to contend with the knowledge of having a child 12 months ago and now he was being separated from him for an extended amount of time. In a short space, he'd grown up, become a man because he was responsible for a life other than his own. He had to protect someone who couldn't protect himself; and that was a maturing thought if ever there was one. The Engineer inhaled deeply. He felt sick.::


==


Lt.Cmdr Ben Walker
Lt.JG Ronan Adair
Lt. Ethan Brice
USS Ronin